Lower partition element for milk bottle cases



April 24, 1934. J, MAURER, JR 1,955,820

LOWER PARTITION ELEMENT FOR MILK BOTTLE CASES Filed July 18 1933 INVENTOR J'biz IUY aN/rwfi:

I ATTORNEY N Patented Apr. 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOWER PARTITION ELEMENT FOR llHLK 3 Claims.

This invention pertains to milk bottle cases and refers more particularly to an improvement in the lower partition elements or racks which extend longitudinally of the bottom of the case in transversely spaced pairs to accommodate therebetween, and on opposite sides thereof, the three rows of bottles.

Heretofore, the partition elements have been provided with bottle receiving recesses at the opposite upper corners thereof, each recess being so constructed as to define a vertical concave arcuate wall and a horizontal plane wall, intersecting each other to define a sharp corner or angle at their juncture. By constructing the recesses in this manner several objections or disadvantages have obtained, notably the structure of the partition element is weakened to a considerable extent and fails to possess the requisite strength to withstand for the length of life of the case, the wear incident to the rough usage to which the cases are subjected and furthermore the sharp corner angle presents a place within which dirt and other foreign matter lodges making for an unsanitary condition and rendering it difficult to thoroughly cleanse the recesses and free them of foreign matter when subjected to the ordinary washing operation, while tending to retain water thus causing rotting of the wood in this region.

It is, therefore, an object of the present inven tion to overcome the objections or disadvantages above noted by so forming the bottle receiving recesses as to eliminate the sharp corner angle and thereby provide at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal walls of the recesses a concave arcuate wall portion which considerably adds to the strength and length of life of the partition element while rendering the same more sanitary in that it resists to a marked degree the collection of dirt and foreign matter in the recesses while, at the same time, facilitating the cleansing of the recesses to free them from any collection of dirt or foreign matter as well as complete drainage of water therefrom.

The invention further resides in the provision of an improved lower partition element for milk bottle crates which does not render the structure any more complicated or increase its cost of production or installation in the case.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is made to the following specification and accompanying drawing in which there is set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, while the appended claims are intended to cover variations and modifications thereof which fall within the scope of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, transverse, sectional view through a milk bottle case provided with a lower partition element constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a lower partition element constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, A designates generaly the milk bottle case and B one of the usual lower partition elements or bottle racks which are generally constructed of wood and which are of cross-sectionally rectangular shape. The element B is formed with bottle receiving recesses designated generally by the reference character C, which recesses are provided at the opposite upper corners thereof and spaced longitudinally of the element.

Each recess, in the present instance, is so constructed as to define a vertical, concave wall 5 and a horizontal plane or flat wall 6 which are joined by and merge into a concave arcuate wall portion 7 which not only materially adds to the strength of the structure of the partition element, but, at the same time, eliminates the usual sharp corner angle and avoids, to a marked degree, the collection of dirt or foreign matter, while greatly facilitating the cleansing of the recess when the crates are washed.

What is claimed is:

1. A lower partition element for a milk bottle case, said element being of cross-sectionally rectangular shape and having bottle receiving recesses at the opposite upper corners thereof, each recess being so constructed as to define a vertical concave wall, a horizontal plane wall and a concave arcuate wall joining and merging into the vertical and horizontal walls.

2. A lower partition element for a milk bottle case, said element being so constructed as to provide bottle receiving recesses at the opposite up per corners thereof, said recesses each having a vertical, concave wall and a horizontal plane wall with a curved concave arcuate wall portion joining said vertical and horizontal walls as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a lower partition element for milk bottle cases, a recessed bottle receiving portion opening through the upper and side faces of the element, said recessed portion being so constructed and arranged as to provide a vertical, arcuate wall, a horizontal plane wall and a concave, arcuate wall joining said vertical and horizontal walls and merging into said walls.

JOHN F. MAURER, JR. 

